Three critical tips when applying postemergence corn herbicide

In some parts of the Corn Belt, the plant is already towering to two feet tall. This has much of the crop in the northern region far enough along to be in V3 growth stage. As early as corn is growing, farmers need to remember these three strategic tips to remember when applying their postemergence corn herbicide.

Size is significant

All postemergence corn herbicide labels spell out the usage at different growth stages of the crop, typically by the height of the crop or by leaf stage. Aaron Hager, Associate Professor of Weed Science at the University of Illinois, recommends following the most restrictive usage instructions to avoid crop injury.

"Corn plant height is commonly used on many herbicide labels, but height is not always an accurate indicator of a plant's true physiological maturity. Determining plant height may seem relatively straightforward, but using different benchmarks for measurement can lead to different plant heights," said Hager. "Generally, height of a corn plant is determined by measuring from the soil surface to the arch of the uppermost leaf that is at least 50% emerged from the whorl (a circle of three or more leaves at the same joint of the stem). Be sure to measure several plants in a given field and average the numbers. plant height is obviously influenced by many factors, including genetics and the growing environment. Adverse environmental conditions, such as cool air or soil temperatures, hail, and others, can greatly retard plant height and result in corn plants that are physiologically older than their height suggests."

Hager says farmers should accurately count leaves on the crop and determine the crop's height before applying. To count leaves, start with the short first leaf and end with the leaf at least half emerged from the whorl. Remember that some leaves may have been lost from hail or frost.

Critical timing creates better yields

Applying postemergence herbicide at the proper stage of growth, as we stated above, can make or break a corn crop's full yield potential. The longer weeds sit in the field among the crop, the greater the risk of a reduced yield. Weeds sitting in a field are more likely to absorb moisture necessary to the crop's development. In addition, the weed's root can damage the corn's root, causing the plant to become "floppy" and inadequate to continue proper growth.

"Weed scientists generally suggest an interval, based on either weed size (in inches) or days after crop/weed emergence, during which postemergence herbicides should be applied to avoid crop yield loss through weed interference," says Hager. "A sommon recommendation is to remove weeds in corn before they exceed about two inches tall."

Smaller weeds are easier to control than larger ones. In addition, Hager states it's been proven that herbicide absorption is more effective in younger weeds than older ones.

Apply when conditions are right

Mother Nature plays such a vital role with everyday duties around the farm. The same can be said about applying postemergence herbicides to corn.

"High air temperatures and relative humidity levels favor rapid absorption of postemergence herbicides, and environmental-induced crop stress can enhance injury from herbicides. Cool air temperatures and wet soil are examples of environmental conditions that can induce crop stress. Crops under stress often cannot metabolize herbicide rapidly enough to preclude injury symptoms," says Hager.

Tips to minimize spray drift

Courtesy of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Univ. of California

Although spray drift is something that will be a constant when it comes to liquid application, it is a problem well within the realm of making more efficient applications. Controlling spray drift not only saves the environment, but can save your pocketbook from retaining precious herbicide.

"Spray drift needs to be minimized to avoid any crop injury and adverse effects on areas outside the spray target area," said Dallas Peterson, Department of Agronomy professor at Kansas State University. "Minimizing spray drift is not only important from and economic and legal standpoint, but also from a public relations standpoint."

Here are some simple tips to keep in mind before heading out into the field:

Wind Speed

"There is no absolute right answer to the question regarding when is it too windy to spray. Labels will provide maximum wind speeds that can't be exceeded to remain in compliance with the label. However, it still may be too windy to safely spray at lower wind speeds if a highly susceptible crops is downwind of the application," said Peterson. "In that situation, the only safe time to spray is when the weed is in the opposite direction. Common sense has to be a major factor in determining when and where it is safe to spray to avoid herbicide drift problems."

Spray Pressure and Spray Speed

The smaller the droplet, the greater odds of creating drift. In addition, smaller droplets are created by higher spray pressures. Pressure shouldn't exceed 40 psi.

"The appropriate spray pressure is critical to produce a good spray pattern and droplet size," said Peterson. Increasing spray pressure reduces spray droplet size and increases the number of fine spray droplet particles that are most susceptible to spray drift. The appropriate spray pressure to optimize performance and minimize drift will depend on the type of spray tip being utilized."

Booms and Nozzles

Position the booms as close to the crop canopy to ensure application reaches the ground. Nozzle tips and pressure is determined by the individual herbicide. Read the label of each chemical to learn proper resistance specifications.

"Spray nozzle selection can have a big impact on the potential for spray drift because of the effect on spray droplet size and spectrum," said Peterson.

Droplet Size

Small microns, 100 to 200 for example, will create a greater risk of spray drift. Larger droplets won't be a susceptible to drift.

"Smaller spray droplets are more susceptible to movement by wind, especially the very fine droplets that can stay suspended longer and moved longer distances," said Peterson.

Prepare for severe weather in the field

Courtesy: Georgia Farm Bureau

Severe weather can pop up in the field with minimal warning, leaving little time to prepare. High winds, severe thunderstorms and tornados are all things farmers need to keep a watchful eye to the sky for while working in their field.

“Thunderstorms can form quite rapidly, within several minutes. Tornados usually come about after strong storms have formed and organized into "supercells". This organizational process can occur over tens of minutes but can sometimes take up to an hour or more,” said Greg Carbin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.

While the central plains of America are nicknamed “Tornado Alley”, these deadly twisters are not limited to any one region. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States average over 1,200 tornados each year. A distant second on the list is Canada, averaging 100 tornados per year. Tornados most commonly form from April to July; however they can occur at any time of year with the right conditions.

“If shelter is unavailable, persons should attempt to move away from the storm. Know where the storms are in relation to your position and be prepared to leave any open area without adequate shelter in the event a tornado is spotted,” said Carbin.

If you find yourself in an open field, stop the machine you’re operating and get out. Lie in a low area or ditch away from the machine. Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect from flying debris. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your machine. A tornado’s speed and direction are deceptive, shifting constantly. Know which buildings near your field can offer the best protection, such as a building with a basement or a sturdy interior space in a barn. It’s important to stay away from the outside walls of the shelter you seek.

While thunderstorms are less destructive, NOAA reports an average of 54 people die in the United States from a lightning strike. Carbin says farmers should watch for increasingly warm, humid and cloudy conditions when anticipating a thunderstorm.

“If lightning is observed, head for better shelter. Lightning will not pose much of threat if you can remain in a vehicle,” said Carbin.

In an open field, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place is not subject to flooding. If you are in the woods, take shelter under shorter trees. If you have no shelter, make yourself the smallest target by squatting low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Minimize contact with the ground, and place your hands on your knees with your head between them when your skin tingles or your hair stands on end. If you are in a tractor or other vehicle during an electrical storm, stay put. Vehicles often provide better protection than lying exposed in open fields.

Have a plan when severe weather is possible. Check weather reports before planning work activities. Make sure you have a way of receiving weather information while you work, especially at remote locations. You can download weather apps for a smart phone or use a weather radio band inside your machine.

“If tornados are expected, then the plan should include more than a vehicle for shelter. Seek a sturdy building and stay away from windows,” said Carbin.

Self-propelled Sprayer ROI - Part II

Self-propelled Sprayer ROI Part II: Performing a Cost-of-Ownership Calculation Navigating the purchase of a self-propelled (SP) sprayer can be intimidating. You may be asking yourself such questions as: "Can I afford it given the acreage I farm?" "I know it is a good investment, but how long will it take to pay for itself?" "Is it better for my operation to buy or lease?" "Are there tools out there to help me justify the investment to a lender?" "Can government tax incentives help defray costs?" Our Cost of Ownership tool answers all these questions and more, including the simplest question stopping you from owning an SP sprayer…"Will it make me money?" Understanding Inputs and Costs In all business decisions, you need to understand the costs associated with an investment in order to understand the benefits. Over the years, with the help of our customers and dealers, we clearly defined the inputs and costs of various application methods to show you an apples-to-apples comparison between your current method and an SP sprayer. The calculations often include current ownership of a pull-behind (PB) sprayer, hiring custom applicators, or both. In other words, to calculate the cost of owning an SP sprayer you have to factor in all the costs associated with your current application method to make an apt comparison. Our cost-of-ownership tool does just that. We begin by looking at the inputs… Acres versus sprayed acres – Unlike planting and harvesting, application often requires going over the field multiple times. Therefore, in considering application methods we calculate acreage not by the planted acre, but by the sprayed acre. Custom application labor – If you hire custom applicators, you no doubt know what they charge by the acre. You also know what they charge for chemicals. Pull-behind costs – Our calculator includes worksheets to help isolate the costs associated with operating a PB sprayer. In reality, most PB owners also hire custom applicators, so we need to account for both costs. Annual operation costs of a SP sprayer – These costs include fuel, maintenance, operator's wages, and insurance. Tax benefits and other accounting-related considerations – Because an SP sprayer is not a minor purchase, accelerated or bonus depreciation may be involved. Most importantly, Section 179 depreciation certainly applies in the case of SP sprayer ownership. Resale value (equity in the asset) – Over the years you own a sprayer, how well does it hold its value? Without strong resale, return on investment (ROI) will be difficult to achieve. Understanding Intangible Benefits While this white paper primarily concerns specific cost-benefit analysis for SP sprayers, ownership conveys numerous intangible benefits as well. Some, like comfort, are universal but others, like timeliness, may vary based on your region. For example, if you needed to eradicate a late season infestation, being able to spray promptly on your schedule instead of hiring custom applicators saves you money. It also adds peace of mind that the calculator cannot measure, but may make a significant impact on your yields. Financing Options, Tax Benefits, Valuation of the Asset, and Resale Value Buy or lease? – Both buying and leasing SP sprayers have advantages, depending on your specific situation. Leasing allows for ownership without the burden of a large initial cash investment and may come with lower annual payments. On the other hand, buying the sprayer may have stronger advantages related to ROI, particularly because of resale. Tax benefits (in greater detail) – We previously touched on tax incentives, and mentioned Section 179 - straight line and bonus deprecation. For tax year 2012, Section 179 allows you to depreciate up to $139,000 of an equipment purchase in year one of operation. Additionally, 50% bonus depreciation can be applied to the difference between the purchase price of your sprayer and the $139,000 Section 179 allows. Finally, your tax advisor can use a regular depreciation schedule for the remaining useful life of the sprayer. Valuation of the asset and resale value – When considering purchasing costs and costs of ownership, we must also evaluate the purchase decision pre- and post-tax, and examine the difference between straight and discounted cash flows. We all have to pay taxes and your purchasing decisions impact your tax bill. When you perform the cost-of-ownership calculation, we assume that you paid the taxes at the time of purchase. Simply put, it is a cash savings and it contributes greatly to ROI. Our calculator also simplifies straight cash flow and discounted cash flow. Our ROI calculations use either a straight cash flow or discounted cash flow analysis. However, our sample calculation in this white paper uses the discounted cash flow method because it takes into consideration the time value of money. That is, a dollar in your hand today is worth more than the prospect of gaining a dollar tomorrow. Therefore, using the discounted cash flow method of arriving at ROI calculations presents a clearer picture of our assessment. Performing a Sample Calculation In order to illustrate our sample calculation, we created a producer's profile for John Q. Farmer using numbers taken from within our cost-of-ownership tool. Sprayed acres John Q. Farmer farms 1,500 acres of beans, which he sprays two times 1,500 acres of corn, which he sprays two times 800 acres of wheat, which he sprays three times Total application acres: 8,400 Outsourcing and pull-behind costs Currently, John runs a PB sprayer and he also typically hires custom applicators to spray when he can't get his PB into the field. Given two applications with his PB and one custom application per year, John's annual cost for his current application method is $5.50 per acre, or $46,200. Depreciation details - Section 179 (year one only) - John will be taking the full $139,000 - 50% bonus (year one only) - $30,500 - Straight depreciation - after the Section 179 and 50% have been exhausted, the regular depreciation schedule begins Financing details Purchase Price: $200,000 Interest rate: 3.9% Term: four years Down payment: $40,000 Self-propelled sprayer operating costs: John figures the following annual operating costs of his new SP sprayer: - Fuel $2,660 ($3.80/gallon) - Maintenance $500 - Operator $2,520 ($15/hour) - Insurance $1,600 (0.8% of the purchase price) Total annual operating costs: $7,280 Will the purchase of an SP sprayer make John money? Yes! Compared to John's current spraying method, owning a self-propelled sprayer will have: - An ROI of $10,626 per year compared to his current spraying method - A savings of $1.26/sprayed acre compared to a combination of PB and custom applications - Cost per application acre of $2.07 Now, click here to look at the details of how we arrived at $10,626 annual ROI (Refer to the breakout image above for the following section) Line 1: Here we have our costs for running the PB twice and hiring the custom applicator once. Line 2: The -$140,252 is the net present value, or what the total expense after four years, of running a PB and hiring custom applicators is worth in today's dollars. Lines 3 – 8: These figures represent what it costs to operate the SP sprayer you're thinking about buying. Lines 9 – 15: Cash savings from depreciation, interest and salvage value are just that… cash savings. Lines 16: The -$87,123 is the net present value, or what the total cash savings after five years of running your SP sprayer is worth in today's dollars. Line 17: This is John's ROI. You might be wondering, why is it that two negative numbers are being added up to make a positive number? Well, we are not saying it doesn't cost money to own and operate an SP sprayer. We're saying that it costs significantly less to do so when compared to the current combination of PB and custom application. More about ET's Cost of Ownership Calculator You probably noted that in our sample calculation a lot of math seems to happen behind the scenes. Equipment Technology's Cost-of-Ownership Calculator performs calculations such as financing options and different depreciation choices automatically. The tool outputs the summary on one page, as seen below, for your tax account, your banker, or the Missus. Guys, our calculator does not factor in the cost of your wife's new kitchen once you have convinced her to let you buy an SP sprayer…you are on your own there. Interested in a self-propelled sprayer cost of ownership analysis? Contact Nick Smith, Apache sprayer Sales Manager at Equipment Technologies. (866-463-0452) or nick.smith@etsprayers.com Est. average resale value of Apache sprayers after five years is 76% based on actual experience calculated by Equipment Technologies. The resale value shown in the above example is 66% after five years to give a more conservative estimate.

Applicators need to be on guard for early insect emergence

The shorter than usual winter has brought warm weather early this year. Because of this unseasonably warm trend for March, farmers are expected to see more bugs in their fields.

"We're seeing insects active 2-3 weeks early up north this year," says Phillip Pellitteri, Insect Diagnostician for the University of Wisconsin-Extension. "That's historic."

Much of the United States did not experience a harsh winter freeze. This allows subsurface wintering insects to emerge earlier than usual not having to wait long for the soil to soften. Pellitteri says insects in Wisconsin he's watching are bean leaf beetles and alfalfa weevil.

"The lack of significant winter weather is causing critters to pop out sooner, and in some cases there are more of them than usual," says Pellitteri. "Typically this many insect eggs wouldn't survive a harsh winter. I think we reached -5 degrees once this winter in Madison where in years past we would hit -20 degrees."

Aphids are under watch in the Ohio River Valley. Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist for the University of Kentucky, echos the same winter conditions.

"You just never know when spring will get here," says Johnson. "We're breaking some [high temperature] records daily. It's unusual, but not unknown."

The short, mild winter can present the right conditions for additional insect generation. Greater numbers of some insects may be experienced due to early emergence from the extended length of season.

"My advice is to be ready," says Johnson. "Things are coming up early and farmers need to be on their toes. Don't go into this spring thinking it's a normal year. Act quick at the first sign of insects."

Diesel prices continue to climb

At farm shows across North America recently, we kept hearing one complaint over and over: rising fuel prices. And it seems no relief is in sight.

According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the national average price for diesel fuel is $4.087/gallon (as of 3/7/12). Even more staggering, that same national average has not dropped in 40 straight days.

This isn't good news for farmers who use a pull-type sprayer. Pull-type owners use twice as much diesel fuel dragging their sprayer with a tractor. The added fuel being burned comes from the weight of the pull-type sprayer being pulled and the overall high horsepower, heavy tractor necessary to pull the sprayer itself.

The same additional diesel fuel costs can be said for hydrostatic sprayer owners too. Compared to an Apache sprayer, hydrostatic sprayer weigh anywhere from an additional 3,000 to 9,000 lbs. A heavier sprayer needs more fuel to burn with so much added weight of wheel motors, pumps and hoses.

Self-propelled Sprayer R.O.I. - Part I

Self-propelled Sprayer R.O.I. Part I: Pull-behind vs. self-propelled sprayer: Five things you need to know before you buy In part one of this two-part white paper, we will explore the five most relevant factors you need to look at when comparing a pull-behind (PB) to a self-propelled (SP) sprayer. We are starting with this comparison because in order to understand the R.O.I. of a SP sprayer, you must first understand why it is superior to alternative application methods, particularly pull-behind sprayers. Unless you already own a SP sprayer, you are likely in one of two camps: you either own a PB sprayer or you hire custom applicators. In reality, you may be doing both. As you contemplate owning your own sprayer, you intuitively know that a SP sprayer would be better to have on the farm and be far more efficient than a PB, but at what cost? And, most importantly, at what return? So, naturally, your first decision point is: can I afford it? The answer, believe it or not, is likely yes. As with all capital investments on the farm, you need to consider the impact the decision will have on your total operation. These five factors will help you do just that. 1. Tank capacity does not equal productivity The old adage that bigger is better is simply untrue when dealing with tank size. A 750 gallon product tank on a SP sprayer can actually be just as productive as a 1,200 gallon product tank on a PB. It's all about the amount of ground you cover in a specific amount of time. Think about it – a PB will be travelling at speeds roughly 60% of the SP sprayer. "There is a bit more to it than that," according to Equipment Technologies Sales Manager, Nick Smith. "Speed relates to nozzle selection, which relates to the amount of product that gets sprayed. So not only are you moving faster in a self-propelled sprayer, but you're applying chemical far more efficiently. Flow rate aside, the issue of speed is very compelling by itself." Smith backs up this statement with a simple math equation that gives his customers an idea of the acreage covered in an hour in a SP vs. a PB sprayer: Speed (MPH) x Boom Width x 5280 (ft. in a mile) / 43,560 (sq ft. in an acre) = Acres Sprayed in 1 Hour So let's take for example a self-propelled sprayer running at 12 mph and a pull-behind running at 7 mph, both with 90 ft. booms. Self-propelled: 12 mph x 90 ft boom x 5280 / 43,560 = 130.91 acres sprayed in an hour Pull-behind: 7 mph x 90 ft boom x 5280 / 43,560 = 76.36 acres sprayed in an hour 2. Hidden operating costs of a pull-behind If you're talking about comparing the costs of operating a PB vs. SP sprayer, the fact is many of the costs for a PB are hidden which creates the illusion that it is more cost efficient to operate. Conversely, the costs for a SP are right out in the open so they are often perceived as being greater. Here is a list of some of the hidden costs of a PB: Fuel consumption This cost is generally related to the fuel being burned by the weight being pulled plus the overall high horsepower, heavy tractor needed to pull weight of a PB sprayer. Compaction When comparing the gross weight of a tractor plus a PB sprayer to a SP sprayer, the weights of the tractor and PB will always outweigh a SP sprayer. This leads to a far greater compaction of the soil, which spawns more hidden costs like poor root growth, poor drainage, etc. Crop damage The issue of crop damage can be blamed on two likely culprits: the extra set of tire tracks from the tractor and PB sprayer and the low crop clearance of the PB. Labor and custom application If you take the point about the amount of acres covered in a hour and spread that cost out over a week or two, then related to the hourly wage of hired help or your own time for that matter, you really start to see how much money can be saved by cutting the time in half. Also, labor could include external help as well. For example, hiring custom applicators to do late season work because the low crop clearance of a pull-behind would almost certainly damage your crops. And, a lot of custom that gets done for growers with pull-behinds because they run out of time to get it covered due to inefficiencies as well as the previously mentioned clearance issue. Lost productivity What else could your tractor be doing while it is dragging a PB sprayer all of over your farm? A SP sprayer is an efficiency multiplier in the sense that it not only saves time and money, but it frees up your tractor for other work to be done. 3. Comfort and technology have their costs as well Today's SP sprayers offer far more creature comforts than those of just a few years back. They are designed for full visibility of your booms and offer fully integrated precision options that are specific to spraying; the precision options are ergonomically laid out in the cab for maximum comfort and productivity. Conversely, many PB owners have retrofit their precision spraying equipment into a tractor that is generally not as comfortable as today's SP sprayer. This combination creates a pretty long day of bouncing, reaching and straining as the operator tries to keep an eye on the booms all while working the precision equipment and driving the tractor. 4. You might be lying to yourself about acreage "We talk to a lot of growers that have between 1,200 and 2,000 acres that don't feel they can justify or afford a SP sprayer," says Mike Flatt, General Manager of Illini Sprayer Company in Oreana, Ill. "The truth is that 2,000 planted acres generally equals at least anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 application acres." So, when you look at the application acres vs. planted acreage of the farm and combine them with the pull-behind's hidden costs of extra fuel consumption, compaction, crop damage and lost productivity, you really start seeing how easy it is to justify the cost of purchasing and operating a self-propelled sprayer. 5. Yield is almost certainly going to be higher with a self-propelled sprayer Most near and dear to any grower's heart is the impact a farming change will have on yield. According to Nick Smith, "The growers we talk with indicate an increase of at least 1% in yield when going from a pull-behind sprayer to a self-propelled because of a number of factors including reduced crop damage, reduced compaction and a generally more timely application." Smith goes on to explain that his company, Equipment Technologies, which manufactures the Apache Sprayer has developed a tool that calculates the difference in R.O.I. between a pull-behind and self-propelled sprayer. Smith mentions, "The yield increase information is what makes the comparison a slam dunk for a self-propelled sprayer. In fact, when ET does the analysis, we typically only put the increase in yield at .4% just to show that even with conservative estimates, it costs no more to own a self-propelled sprayer than it does a pull-behind and it most likely will make you money faster."   Intersted in a self-propelled sprayer cost of ownership analysis? Contact Nick Smith, Sales Manager and Equipment Technologies. Nick's team has developed a proprietary tool that analyzes your increase in yield and factors in the costs associated with either a pull-behind sprayer or hiring a custom applicator compared to the purchase of an Apache sprayer. (866) 463-0452 or nick.smith@etsprayers.com